A life-changing season: Why Alex Eala remains a 'champion' despite her HK Open loss

HONG KONG — Alexandra Eala came up short against Claire Liu in the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open final, but the proud Filipina's remarkable start-to-finish 2026 campaign secured her status as a true champion in the hearts of her compatriots.

Eala started off the season as World No. 50 but is closing the year with a new career-high ranking of World No. 15.

"It's insane. I did not know that was in the cards for me… to end the year at 15. It's crazy. It's like this whole season has been crazy, and just to top it off with ending the year at 15. It's like dreams are only dreams until they're not, right?” she told reporters at a press conference held an hour after the final match.

Despite the loss in Hong Kong, Eala appeared upbeat and relaxed during the press conference, saying that she is “incredibly proud and grateful” for everything that she and her team achieved this year.

In her runner-up speech during the awarding ceremony, Eala thanked her coaches and family, saying the 2026 season has changed her life.

“This season's changed my life for the better, and I'm incredibly proud of the work we've put in this year. And we're the only ones who fully know what it took to arrive at this point in our journey.”

Raising her trophy and addressing her team, an emotional Eala said: “And this one, like all of them, is ours.”

Eala noted that while it may be the end of the year, it is only the beginning of her career at just 21 years old.

“I've been playing ever since I was four, but even then, I still feel like there's a long, long road ahead of me which I am so excited for… excited to continue the journey with my team. I'm very, very grateful for them and everything we do together.”

Playing against Alex

Liu, who will rise to World No. 69 after winning her first career title in Hong Kong, defeated Eala with a score of 6–3, 6–0, but the American said the numbers do not show the full story of the match.

“It was definitely really close. Each point, I feel like it was almost like in order to win a point, you had to hit a winner. I think we both played some really good tennis. I came out on top in the end, but it definitely wasn't easy,” said Liu.

During her champion's speech, Liu admitted getting emotional listening to Eala's words.

“I feel like I couldn't think of a better person to lead the charge for women's tennis right now. I just feel like you're such an inspiration, and you've had such an amazing year, and I'm so excited for what you'll do next year,” Liu told Eala.

With Liu's win against Eala in Hong Kong, their head-to-head series is now at 2–0 with Liu leading the face-off.

The two first met on court during the first round of the Guangzhou Open in 2025, where Liu won in a tight three-set battle (2–6, 6–4, 6–4).

Loyal fans

Liu said Eala is a great player, describing the Filipina as a tough opponent.

But with Eala's loyal supporters cheering her on, the challenge became even harder.

“I can't speak for everyone, but playing against Alex is one of the hardest things because of the crowd. No matter where she goes, she always has so many supporters, which I think is really great in general for tennis, but not so great when you're playing against her,” said Liu.

Eala, on the other hand, described her fans as “amazing,” emphasizing that they add “another dimension to my job and to my life.”

Eala said she never imagined having such a legion of supporters and followers.

“So, thanks to them, I'm able to have such special experiences and create such amazing memories. I'm super, super happy for their support,” she said.

In her speech at the awarding ceremony, Eala also thanked the fans for their tireless support and loyal following.

“You guys do not know how much meaning you add on top of what I do, and how much of a pleasure it is to share my life and these moments with you all. I'm forever grateful,” said Eala.

When she hears familiar cries of "laban" and "puso" from the stands, urging her to stay in the fight and take heart, Eala admitted that the encouragement gives her a vital spark.

However, she emphasized that true drive ultimately has to come from within.

​“[I could hear them], but it depends on the momentum because I tend to have selective hearing when I am on court,” Eala said. “Yes, it helps, but for the most part, the motivation to win and persevere comes from within me.”

In 2026, Eala mounted an impressive grass-court swing, capturing the WTA 125 title at the Birmingham Open and reaching the semifinals of the Berlin Tennis Open before advancing to the fourth round at Wimbledon in July.

She followed this up in August 2026 by making history as the first Filipino to win a WTA Tour title, capturing the Mubadala DC Open in Washington, D.C.

Carrying that momentum into Flushing Meadows, she entered the US Open seeded 17th.

After taking a short off-season break, Eala will kick off her 2027 campaign in January with a confirmed appearance in the WTA 250 ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand.

She is also set to play at the Australian Open in Melbourne next year. — BAP, GMA News